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The Tariff of 1824
The Sectional Tariff of 1824 was a protective tariff designed to protect the American Industry while facing British cheaper goods. After having a true protection in the tariff of 1816, Congress continued by adding more protection in 1824 by raising rates. They also did this by adding products like glass, lead, and wool in the protected category. -
The Tariff of 1828 (The Tariff of Abominations)
The tariff of abominations was made to protect northern and western farm products from rivalry with other countries importing into U.S. However, the taxes on these goods rose the cost of living in the South and it cut into New England’s industry. John Q. Adams approved of this bill after he lost to Jackson in the 1828 election. Soon after it passed, John C. Calhoun responded to it by anonymously writing the South Carolina Exposition and Protest expressing the nullification doctrine. -
The South Carolina Exposition
The SC Exposition established a document that reinforced the Nullification concept. Wanting justice, state legislature asked John Calhoun to write an address that would stress on the dangers of the tariff. He argued that the state had the right to declare a federal act unconstitutional. The state legislature didn't properly adopt his report but they used it for their own riot. 4 years later, the state adopted it which brought a national crisis that showed the dangers of it. -
South Carolina Nullification
The South Carolina Nullification was a conflict between South Carolina and the federal government in 1832-1833 over the state's attempt to declare null and void within the state against the tariff of 1828 and 1832. The resolution of the nullification was in favor of the government and this helped erode the doctrine. -
Hayne's Counter Proclamation
Governor Hayne of South Carolina claimed that if a state is persecuted by law the state can consider it unconstitutional and void. President Jackson began to gather troops and send them to South Carolina but Hayne continued to void the laws and tariffs. This put South Carolina in a place where they would have to fight in a war with the rest of the United States. -
The Tariff of 1832
The Tariff of 1832 was a protective tariff that was passed to reduce tax rates made by other tariffs in an effort to resolve the conflict created by the tariff of 1828. It was an arrangement that failed to tame the South. Congress listened to Henry Clay and John Calhoun and approved the tariff, which reduced taxes. This wasn't enough for South Carolina, so they canceled the tariff. This act became known as the Nullification Crisis. -
Jackson's Proclamation Against Nullification
On December 10, President Jackson issued a proclamation to the people of South Carolina that discussed a state's right to void a federal law. This was a response to a conflict created by a South Carolina convention that declared the tariffs of 1828 and 1832 unconstitutional, null, and void. -
Force Bill
The force bill allowed Andrew Jackson to use military force if needed to collect tariff duties and a compromise tariff that decreased these duties. The South Carolina convention responded to the force bill by repealing the Nullification Ordinance but a few days later sustained its ideas by voiding the bill -
South Caroline Repeal of Nullification
The South Carolina convention reunited, repealed its tariff on Nullification Ordinance, and repealed the force bill. The crisis was over and both sides found reasons to claim as the winner. The tariff rates decreased and the states' rights doctrine was removed. The tariff policy continued to be a national issue between Democrats and Whigs. By the 1850s, the problems with slavery and expansion become the most diverse problems in the United States. -
Clay's Compromise (The Compromise of 1850)
It was a series of acts proposed by Henry Clay. It was passed by Congress in an effort to settle slavery issues and to prevent the end of the Union. Clay's purpose was to keep stability between free and slave states and satisfy both sides. Once the US gained territory they won in the war against Mexico, they had to decide on the slave and free states. The Compromise was a temporary benefit but also proved the failure of it. It was a constant political solution when critical interest was at risk.
